Since engine cleansing is part of a good auto detail I offer several secrets for cleansing under the bonnet.
Here is what I do. First warm up the engine a bit. Shut down the motor. Then take a hose and spray the top of the bonnet, and the fenders with water. You do this for the simple reason that IF you get any degreaser on your paint while spraying the engine compartment, it will be diluted and not stain your paint. Then you want to make sure that your air cleaners are covered with a plastic bag, or remove them and stuff rags into your carburator so that it will not become waterlogged. You can cover the alternator if you choose. Now is the time to spray down under the bonnet with any degreaser that you choose, again, just make sure that your fenders and top of the bonnet are wet to begin with. This way you can spray under the bonnet, around the engine, the mounts and the trans. Let the degreaser do its work for a few minutes, then with a high preassure nozzle wash down the motor. Give it a liberal cleanseing. If not satisfied, repeat with the degreaser again.
Now is when I take a tire dressing, I prefer to use our American Shine Super Shine as it is a water based silicone.
I use a spray bottle and soak down the entire engine compartment, making sure to spray any and all rubber products in the compartment, letting it soak into the pours of the rubber. Let it sit for a few minutes. While it is soaking in, I take this time to check all of my fittings and electrical connections, pulling off the distributor cap to see if it is waterlogged. Whether it is or not, now is a good time to spray some WD40 in to dry up any water or condensation that may be in there. In checking the electrical connections make sure ALL of your grounds are secure. Remember, if this is a British engine that you are cleansing, make doubbly sure that all grounds are intacked. I had one go loose after a cleansing and it was underneath the vehicle. This may be a Negative ground earth!
Now replace you air cleaner remembering to pull out the rags so that you motor will not choke. Close the bonnet, and fire up the motor. Letting it rund to dry out the compartment. By all rights you should not have any problems. Now is also a good time to wash the rest of the vehicle, cleaning off any grit or grime that shot up while cleaning the motor.
After washing the vehicle, before drying, I always dress the tires, then go to wiping down the car to dry it off. After drying the vehicle, the last thing to do is wipe any excess tire dressing off aand WAA LAA! Your prize possession is imacculate and ready to cruise!
Here are several good reasons to keep you engine compartment clean.
1. Any mechanic that you have work on you vehicle will take notice of this, and figure that since YOU take care of your ride, he will give it that extra little attention that others do not receive.
2. Cars have personallities, and will appreciate this too, and not break down when you least expect it, like in the dead of nite on a deserted highway. They will treat you with the respect that you treat them with
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